Airtime for USSD: See the list of banks that have adopted the new end-user billing model

To strengthen financial inclusion, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) introduced a new USSD billing model. Under the structure, customers’ USSD banking charges will be deducted from their airtime instead of their bank accounts. 

The Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) has been a banking alternative for users due to its usage without the need for an internet connection. It has been a vital service that enables customers to conduct banking transactions without internet access.

The development is also another attempt by the NCC to prevent the recurrence of previous disputes in light of the persistent N250 billion USSD debt owed by commercial banks to telecom operators.

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile had complained that banks were collecting service fees from customers without remitting the funds to them, despite deducting charges for the services from their customers.

To prevent a repeat, the regulator ordered commercial banks to start deducting charges for USSD transactions directly from users’ mobile airtime. This represents a shift from the previous arrangement where deductions were made from users’ bank accounts. The new end-billing user model allows the telecom operators to deduct USSD service charges directly from subscribers’ airtime balances, eliminating the role of banks as intermediaries in the payment process.

Also Read: Hold your bank responsible for USSD double charge, ALTON Chairman says.

Banks that have adopted the airtime for USSD billing model

Following the directive from the communications regulator for a new USSD billing model, some commercial banks have been complying. Below is a list of banks that have adopted the model, together with their respective effective dates.

UBA, Access, and EcoBank

The United Bank for Africa, Access Bank, and EcoBank were the first set of commercial banks to adopt the model, which has been effective since June 3, 2025. 

In an email to customers on June 3, UBA noted that the USSD charges will no longer be deducted from customers’ accounts but directly from users’ mobile airtime balance following the NCC’s End-User Billing model.

“In line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission, please be informed that effective June 3, 2025, charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from your bank account,” the statement noted.

GTBank

In its message to customers, GTBank announced in June that the N6.98 transaction fee will now be deducted from airtime balances, rather than bank accounts, effective from June 18, 2025.

“Dear Customer, please be informed that effective 18 June 2025, the N6.98 USSD fee will be deducted from your airtime balance, no longer from your bank account. Thank you,” the message reads.

Union Bank

In its email notification to customers, Union Bank noted that the new billing structure of N6.98 per 120 seconds will take effect from July 1.

“If you do not wish to continue using USSD banking under this new model, you may opt for alternative digital banking options, such as our mobile app and internet banking platform,” the bank added.

FCMB

Besides the email it sent to its customers in June, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) sent text messages to its customers earlier this week indicating that the charges would commence on Wednesday, July 2.

The message to its customers read, “Dear Customer, effective July 2, the N6.98 USSD fee will be deducted from your airtime balance and no longer from your bank account. Consent will be requested.”

Other banks are also expected to adopt the model in the coming days.

What subscribers need to know

The following is a summary of what the new billing model means for Nigerian subscribers.

• A new charge of ₦6.98 will be deducted from your airtime for every 120-second USSD session.
• The service is optional. This means that you’ll receive a prompt to approve the charges before any airtime deduction is made.
• Upon consent, charges will not be deducted from your bank account, but from your airtime. Ensure you have sufficient airtime that capture the charge.
• You have the option to discontinue the service anytime you wish to opt out.
• Also, charges apply only for successful sessions. Double billing is prohibited.
• There is no change to the USSD code. The service remains fully available using your usual bank codes.

Nevertheless, commercial bank customers can still access banking services via other platforms such as bank mobile apps, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and Internet Banking Portals.